ABSTRACT
There has been an increasing awareness that early problem behaviors, if left untreated, place youth at risk for enduring problems that last well into adulthood and consequently involve criminal and antisocial behaviors, chemical dependence, and mental illness (Rutter, Grahm, Chadick & Yale, 1976). As has been discussed in Chapter 2, epidemiologic studies provide some evidence that substance use predicts an increased risk of psychotic disorders (TIen & Anthony, 1990; Andersson, Allebect, Engstrom & Rydberg, 1987). These public health problems of high risk youth have been targeted for prevention and treatment programs. For example, in 1986, the enactment of Public Law 99-750, the "Anti-Drug Abuse Act", mandated that one of the priority target audiences would be high risk youth. In P.L. 99-750, a high risk youth is defined as an individual who has not attained the age of 21 years, who is at high risk of becoming, or who has become, a drug abuser or an alcohol abuser, and who (1) is identified as a child of a substance abuser; (2) is a victim of physical, sexual, or psychological abuse; (3) has dropped out of school; (4) has become pregnant; (5) is economically disadvantaged; (6) has committed a violent or delinquent act; (7) has experienced mental health problems; (8) has attempted suicide; or (9) is disabled by injuries.
